System and method for acquisition management of subject position information

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/215,710, filed 9 Aug. 2002, and now U.S. Pat. No. 6,975,229.

[0002] This invention was made with government support under Contract DE-AC0676RLO1830 awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The government has certain rights in this invention.

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The invention relates generally to systems and methods associated with subject position information and more particularly to acquisition management of subject position information.

[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0006] Systems and methods for acquisition management of subject position information conventionally have wide application in daily commerce. These conventional systems include recordation of prior positions occupied, identification of present position, and guidance regarding future positions of a subject. Implementation details vary according to the particular conventional system.

[0007] Technology of the conventional systems can include optical, magnetic, or visual scanning of a subject, a subject's printed address, or a track of a subject's intended path. These approaches generally require close proximity, predetermined orientation, and high visibility of the subject to the system, inflexible plans for subject position guidance, manual intervention with recordation, identification, and guidance, and other performance reducing requirements. Conventional integration of the recordation, identification, and guidance functions can also include requirements, that may increase weight, size, and cost of the systems involved.

[0008] Other conventional systems use external reference systems, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) managed by the United States Department of Defense, to provide position reference data. Unfortunately, these external reference systems are not always as useful as hoped due, in part, to problems related to signal interference, such as found inside buildings and geological structures, and less than sufficient resolution of subject position provided by the external reference system.

[0009] The disclosed embodiments of the invention are directed to acquisition management of subject position information. In one embodiment, a position tag is provided having a memory configured to store position information, at least one radio frequency antenna, and a receiver circuit coupled to the at least one radio frequency antenna. The receiver is configured to receive control signals and position request signals via the at least one radio frequency antenna, and to send signals containing position information via the at least one radio frequency antenna responsive to the position request signals. The memory is configured to store position information in response to the control signals and to recall position information in response to the position request signals.

[0010] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a position tag programmer is provided having at least one radio frequency antenna, a receiver configured to receive position information radio signals from an external position reference system via the at least one radio frequency antenna, and a tag program transmitter coupled to the receiver. The tag programmer transmitter is configured to transmit position information control signals via the at least one radio frequency antenna to a position tag for storage in the position tag of the position information received from the external position reference system.

[0011] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a position tag reader is provided having at least one radio frequency antenna, a transmitter coupled to the at least one radio frequency antenna and configured to transmit a position information request signal to a position tag via the at least one radio frequency antenna, and a receiver coupled to the at least one radio frequency antenna. The receiver is configured to receive a signal containing position information from the position tag requested through the position information request signal sent by the transmitter to the position tag.

[0012] In accordance with one of the method embodiments of the present invention, a method of programming a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is provided including receiving position information from an external positioning system, and sending control instructions and the position information via radio signals to the RFID tag to store the position information in the RFID tag.

[0022] Implementations of a system and method for acquisition management of subject position information are described herein. The position acquisition management system uniquely applies radio frequency technology to challenges involved with recordation of prior positions occupied, identification of present position, and guidance regarding future positions of a subject. Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, whose general use is known in the art, are uniquely used to store and retrieve position information of designated subjects at given moments of subject travel.

[0023] Some implementations will program position tags with predetermined architectural, geological, geographical, or other position information to be later used as position references to assist in guiding travel of users, robots, vehicles, or other subjects. Other implementations use position tags configured to store multiple position identifications to record information regarding routes taken by given subjects. In certain implementations, addressed position tags are attached to subjects to indicate destination information for delivery of the subjects. These addressed position tags can contain other information such as identification of the origination, sender, and receiver of the subjects. Implementations can use portable programmers to program position tags with position information including that obtained from external positioning systems such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) managed by the Department of Defense. Stationary programmers can be used to program position tags, such as with route recordation, as the position tags pass pre-designated positions.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, a basic RFID system 10 includes two components: an interrogator or reader 12, and a transponder (commonly called an RF tag) 14. The interrogator 12 and RF tag 14 include respective antennas 16, 18. In operation, the interrogator 12 transmits by a transmitter component (not shown) through its antenna 16 a radio frequency interrogation signal 20 to the antenna 18 of the RF tag 14. In response to receiving the interrogation signal 20, the RF tag 14 produces a modulated response signal 22 that is transmitted back to the interrogator 12 through the tag antenna 18 by a process known as continuous wave backscatter and is received by a receiver component (not shown) of the interrogator 12.

[0025] The substantial advantage of RFID systems is the non-contact, non-line-of-sight capability of the technology. The interrogator 12 emits the interrogation signal 20 with a range from one inch to one hundred feet or more, depending upon its power output and the radio frequency used. Tags can be read through a variety of substances such as dispersions, fog, ice, paint, dirt, and other visually and environmentally challenging conditions where bar codes or other optically-read technologies would be useless. RF tags can also be read at high speeds, in most cases responding in less than one hundred milliseconds.

[0026] RF tags are divided into three main categories: Beam-powered passive tags, battery-powered semi-passive tags, and active tags. Each operates in different ways.

[0027] The beam-powered RFID tag is often referred to as a passive device because it derives the energy needed for its operation from the interrogation signal beamed at it. The tag rectifies the field and changes the reflective characteristics of the tag itself, creating a change in reflectivity that is seen at the interrogator. The battery-powered semi-passive RFID tag operates in a similar fashion, modulating its RF cross-section in order to reflect a delta to the interrogator to develop a communication link. Here, the battery is the source of the tag's operational power for optional circuitry. Finally, in the active RF tag, a transmitter is used to create its own radio frequency energy powered by the battery.

[0028] The range of communication for such tags varies according to the transmission power of the interrogator 12 and the RF tag 14. Battery-powered tags operating at 2,450 MHz have traditionally been limited to less than ten meters in range. However, devices with sufficient power can reach up to 200 meters in range, depending on the frequency and environmental characteristics.

[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention, the response signal 22 is used to send position information from a unique type of RF tag known herein as a position tag 30. The position tag 30 is configured to contain information regarding one or more positions, which can be programmed into and retrieved from the position tag through use of RF signals. The position information could be stored in a memory of the position tag 30. Alternatively, a pointer in the position tag 30 could point to a position-related reference. With some implementations, the position tag 30 contains additional information, also referred to herein as position information. Position information for the position tag 30 could also include information associated with a position, such as, time of day that a position was achieved, and characteristics of the tagged subject, such as type (vehicle, robot, individual, etc.), owner identification, origination, destination, intended recipient, associated cost, product constituents, warranty information, associated purchaser, location of sale, seller identification, recycling information, instructor identification, associated warnings, storage information, and destruction instructions.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the position tag 30 includes a position tag antenna 32 to receive position information request signals 34, to receive position information programming control signals 36, and to send requested position information 38. Multiple antennas can be used in some implementations as the tag antenna 32. A receiver 40 is communicatively linked to the position tag antenna 32 and a control circuit 42 to process the position information request signals 34, to respond with the requested position information 38 retrieved from a memory 44, and to process the position information programming control signals 36 to store position information into the memory 44. The receiver 40 is configured to enable the position tag 30 to return the requested position information 38 as a radio signal shown in FIG. 2. Some implementations include the functions of the control circuit 42 either being performed by the receiver 40, the memory 44, or both.

[0031] In some implementations, a portable programmer 50 is used to program position information into the position tags 30. Some implementations of the portable programmer 50 include programming one position (1P) position tags 52 having the memory 44 sufficiently sized to contain information regarding one position (1P) such as shown in FIG. 3. The portable programmer 50 includes a tag program transmitter 54 that is coupled to a transmitting antenna 56 to transmit the position information programming control signals 36 to the position tags 30.

[0032] Position information to be programmed into one of the position tags 30 is inputted to the portable programmer 50 and stored, such as in the tag programmer 54. In one embodiment, broadcast position information 58 is received by the portable programmer from an external positioning system (EPS) 60 through a receiving antenna 62 and an EPS receiver 64. The Global Positioning System (GPS) managed by the Department of Defense, with its satellite-based broadcast of position information, is one example of the external positioning system 60. Other examples of the external positioning system 60 include systems broadcasting other position information such as time and position coordinate information associated with one or more architectural structures, geographical points of interest, or geological structures. Alternatively, a local input 66, such as a keypad or other input device, could be used to manually input position information into the portable programmer 50. Although the portable programmer 50 is shown in FIG. 3 to include both the EPS receiver 64 and the local input 66, some implementations of the portable programmer only have one way of inputting position information into the portable programmer. Other implementations of the portable programmer 50 can include use of a single antenna or multiple antennas that are functionally equivalent to the combined functions of the transmitting antenna 56 and the receiving antenna 62. Some implementations of the portable programmer 50 also include a control 68 that coordinates input of position information into, and transmission of position information from, the portable programmer.

[0033] In some implementations, such as shown in FIG. 4, a stationary programmer 70 is used to program position information into the position tags 30. Some implementations of the stationary programmer 50 include programming multi-position (MP) position tags 72 having the memory 44 sufficiently sized to contain information regarding more than one position. The stationary programmer 70 includes a tag program transmitter 74 that is coupled to a transmitting antenna 76 to transmit the position information programming control signals 36 to the position tags 30.

[0034] Position information to be programmed into one of the position tags 30 can be inputted to the stationary programmer 70 via several methods, including use of the broadcast position information 58 received by the portable programmer 50 from the external positioning system (EPS) 60. The portable programmer 50 transmits a position information signal 78 containing the broadcast position information 58 to the stationary programmer 70. The position information signal 78 is received by a receiving antenna 80 and processed by a receiver 82 coupled to the receiving antenna. The receiver 82 could also be configured similarly as the EPS receiver 64 of the portable programmer 50 to directly receive the broadcast position information 58, but this may increase unit cost of the stationary programmer 70 to possibly impact deployment of large numbers of the stationary programmer.

[0035] Alternatively, a local input 84, such as a keypad or other input device, could be used to manually input position information into the stationary programmer 70. Although the stationary programmer 70 is shown in FIG. 4 to include both the receiver 82 and the local input 84, some implementations of the stationary programmer only have one way of inputting position information into the stationary programmer. Other embodiments may have an adapter to receive a detachable input device. The stationary programmer 70 may include use of a single antenna or multiple antennas that are functionally equivalent to the combined functions of the transmitting antenna 76 and the receiving antenna 80. Some implementations of the stationary programmer 70 also include a control 86 that coordinates input of position information into and transmission of position information from the stationary programmer.

[0036] An exemplary use of the portable programmer 50 in conjunction with the 1P position tags 52 for position labeling of collection samples is shown in FIG. 5. In this example, the 1P position tags 52 are affixed to samples 88 found in a collection site 90. The portable programmer 50 is then used to program each of the 1P position tags 52 to indicate either absolute or relative position of each of the samples 88 with respect to their original positions at the collection site 90. The samples are then moved, indicated by arrow 92, to a sample repository 94 to be further studied. Additional study of the samples 88 can be aided by the programmed 1P position tags 52 since they contain either the relative or absolute original position of the samples in the collection site 90. For instance, it is possible that the collection site 90 could be either physically or virtually reconstructed through use of the position information contained within the 1P position tags 52 identifying repositioning of the collected samples 88. Examples of the collection site 90 include, but are not limited to, archeological sites, construction sites, excavation sites, disaster sites, battlefields, accident sites, crime scenes, arson sites, geological sites, and any other site or other collection in which the original relative or absolute position of collected samples of the collection site 90 is of interest.

[0037] Another exemplary use of the portable programmer 50 in conjunction with the 1P position tags 52 for position guidance of subjects such as robots, individuals, or vehicles is shown in FIG. 6. The 1P position tags 52 are positioned in an area 96, such as an interior area of a building. In this example, the area 96 also includes an obstacle 98. The 1P position tags 52 are shown in FIG. 6 to have a substantially regular spacing order; however, in other implementations, spacing of the 1P position tags can be of an irregular nature. The 1P position tags 52 can also include position information regarding particular attributes of the area 96 with respect to the particular positions of the 1P position tags. For instance, the 1P position tags 52 shown as being positioned in or near the corners of the obstacle 98 could contain information identifying the obstacle. Other position information could include that generally discussed above regarding additional information including information related to the position identified by one of the 1P position tags 52, related to a purpose for the area 96, and related to a purpose for the subject. For instance, if the area 96 was a warehouse for storing items to be later gathered and the subject was a gatherer, one or more of the 1P position tags 52 could contain identification information related to the type of items located near the position of the 1P position tag. Alternatively, additional information could be related to particular positions identified by the 1P position tags 52 through a database on board or separate from the subject.

[0038] Once the 1P position tags 52 are properly positioned in stationary locations in the area 96, the portable programmer 50 is used to program each of the 1P position tags with their respective positions, either absolute or relative, with respect to the area. After transitioning from an initialization phase to an operation phase, as indicated by an arrow 100, a subject, such as a robot 102, using a unique one of the interrogators 12 configured to request and receive position information from the 1P position tags 52, shown hidden in the operation phase of FIG. 6, is used to navigate a path 104. The interrogator 12 and the 1P tags 52 are so chosen and positionally oriented regarding strength of signals transmitted and received such that the subject receives position information from the 1P position tags appropriate to the position of the subject as it receives the position information. Depending upon the implementations and subject involved, the path 104 can be predetermined or can be determined in real time. Position guidance based upon position information obtained from the 1P position tags 52 could include range and bearing.

[0039] Other examples of the area 96 include, but are not limited to, warehouses, factory floors, jogging or hiking trails, bicycle paths, shopping malls, office parks, airports, rail stations, bus stations, tourist attractions, amusement parks, local roadways, state and interstate highways and freeways, fairs, theaters, exhibit halls, sports stadiums, museums, art galleries, farms, drilling or mining sites, construction sites, battlefields, ocean liners, cargo ships, oil tankers, airplanes, naval vessels, drilling rigs, elevators, racetracks, golf courses, bodies of water including harbors, lakes, docking areas, ship canals, railyards, airplane runways, schools, universities, libraries, hospitals, grocery stores, pharmacies, department stores, tool houses, wrecking yards, spacecraft, and any other area in which position guidance of a subject is of interest.

[0040] An exemplary use of a group of the stationary programmers 70 in conjunction with one of the MP position tags 72 affixed to a moving subject 106, such as a robot, an individual, or a vehicle, for route recordation of the moving subject 106 is shown in FIG. 7. Initially, each of the stationary programmers 70 are programmed with information regarding their positions. In implementations, the stationary programmers 70 are positioned along a path 108 to be taken by the moving subject 106 to allow the MP position tag 72 of the moving subject to receive the position information programming control signal 36 from each stationary programmer as the moving subject passes within the vicinity of each stationary programmer.

[0041] After completing the path 108, the MP position tag 72 of the moving subject 106 contains position information for each of the stationary programmers 70 found along the path. This position information can then be requested and received by a special interrogator 12 configured to transmit the position information request signals 34 to the MP position tag 72 of the moving subject 106 and to receive the requested position information 38 from the MP position tag of the moving subject. In this example, the requested position information 38 would include for each of the stationary programmers 70 a fixed position near the stationary programmer and its absolute or relative position and the relative or absolute times that the moving subject 106 passed by the fixed position.

[0042] FIG. 8 shows exemplary use of a network of branch nodes connected together by paths having subject routers 110 each located at one of the branch nodes of the network and containing one of the interrogators 12. Each of the interrogators 12 are configured to request and receive position information for directing transit of a subject 112 having an affixed addressed tag 114. As the subject 112 passes one of the subject routers 110, the subject router sends the position information request signal 134 to the addressed tag 114. In turn, the addressed tag 114 of the subject 112 sends the requested position information 38 back to the requesting subject router 110. The position information contained by the addressed tag 114 includes the destination address of the associated subject 112. The destination address can take many forms including street address and GPS coordinates or other address forms or coordinates. Upon receipt of the destination address contained within the position information of the addressed tag 114, the subject router 110 performs any adjustments necessary to properly direct the subject 112 on to the next subject router to finally allow the subject to arrive at its final destination identified by the position information received from the addressed tag 114. Principles of operations research is used in some implementations for directing the subject 112. Other implementations of the addressed tag 114 need not use the subject routers 110. For instance, another implementation of the addressed tag 114 could involve subjects being sorted by their destination addresses as indicated by their addressed tags.

[0043] From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims and the equivalents thereof.